River Town Saints Light It Up Like A Bonfire In Ottawa

A herd of country fans made their way to Mavericks last Saturday night as the usual punk-rock venue was liberated by the likes of the River Town Saints with support from fellow Valley native Rory Gardiner.

River Town Saints lighting it up @ Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

Rory quickly won over the crowd as he began his set with his own rendition of Queen’s Fat Bottomed Girls. Everyone was singing a long to the classic tune. Rory wasted no time keeping the setlist moving, he continued with his single “On My Way” – the new theme song for WildTV’s Fall Brawl Hunting show (which was co-written with Tim Hicks). Keeping the night fun with another cover of Canadian artist Shania Twain’s “Feel Like a Woman” wedged in-between more originals, it’s no wonder Rory took home 2014’s International Songwriting Competition’s 1st place.

Rory Gardiner perfroms at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

Rory Gardiner perfroms at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

As excitement and anticipation rose, All 5 River Town Saints huddled around the drum kit before taking formation on stage. This 5-piece, harmony-driven group with rock ’n roll roots do not mess around. It was quite obvious that tonight surely wasn’t their first rodeo. They kicked off their set with Like It Like That while getting everyone to stomp their boots and clap their hands. In no time they covered 2Pac’s, California Love, with bassist Daniel DiGiacomo covering Dr.Dre’s intro rap. This morphed into another popular hip-hop cover – Outkast’s Hey Ya!

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

As this was my first time witnessing RTS, it’s no wonder they were selected to open for Tim Hicks’ Shake These Walls Tour earlier this year. They are also no stranger to the festival circuit: having performed at Boots and Hearts as well as Rock the Park. It was a great homecoming for the guys and the fans loved every second of it. One of the biggest sing along’s of the night came when the guys cranked out their last single CherryBomb and it absolutely exploded on stage. Great night of music from the lads from “The Valley”.

Andrew Lessard – @LessardImages

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River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

Rory Gardiner perfroms at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard

River Town Saints perfrom at Mavericks in Ottawa – Photo: Andrew Lessard